Corden, presenting an additional introduction to Monday night’s The Late Late Show, which had recorded earlier in the evening said: ‘It shocks me every time we hear this sort of news that attacks like this can happen, but especially when there will be so many children at this concert tonight.’

He told American viewers that they would have heard of the city for ‘many wonderful things’, including its two leading football teams and bands such as Oasis and Joy Division before adding tht it was ‘the birthplace of the leader of the suffragette, it’s the home of the inventor of the first computer, it’s a place full of comedy and curries and character’.

James Corden (Picture: CBS)

However he really began to choke up when he told viewers of the city he knows: ‘When I think of Manchester the place that I know I think of the spirit of the people there, I’m telling you a more tight knit group of people you will be hard pressed to find.

‘Strong, proud, caring people with community at it’s core and if it was even possible, the spirit of the people of Manchester will grow even stronger this evening.’

He concluded by adding: ‘We’ll all go to bed holding our little ones even tighter this evening.’

Police escort members of the public from the Manchester Arena (Picture: Getty Images)

Police have not said what caused or who was behind the suspected atrocity, although unconfirmed reports have suggested it was carried out by a suspected suicide bomber.

The explosion took place at on Monday May 22 at around 10.22pm reportedly in the foyer of the Arena. As of Tuesday morning 22 people have been confirmed dead and 59 are currently being treated in six hospitals across Manchester.

British Prime Minister Theresa May released a statement, paying tribute to the victims of ‘what is being treated by the police as an appalling terrorist attack’, while music stars from around the globe sent thoughts and prayers to those affected.

One Direction star Harry Styles wrote on his own Twitter account: ‘I’m heartbroken over what happened in Manchester tonight. Sending love to everyone involved. H (sic)’ whilst his bandmate Niall Horan shared: ‘Absolutely Horrendous what happened in Manchester tonight. My thoughts are with the great people of Manchester and also Ari and her team xx (sic).’

Taylor Swift offered her ‘thoughts and prayers’ to all affected. She shared: ‘My thoughts, prayers and tears for all those affected by the Manchester tragedy tonight. I’m sending all my love.’

Manchester Arena terror attack

As investigators begin to piece together what happened, here is a summary of events so far:

:: North West Ambulance Service said 59 casualties had been taken to six hospitals around the city.

:: Children are feared to be among those killed and wounded in the blast at the Manchester Arena which police are treating as a ‘terrorist incident’

:: US media outlets reported officials in America as saying a suicide bomber was suspected as being behind the blast, although this has not been confirmed by GMP.

:: Witnesses reported hearing a ‘huge bomb-like bang’ as fans were leaving the arena shortly after a show by Ariana Grande finished, and described glass and metal nuts on the floor

:: Home Secretary Amber Rudd has described it as a ‘barbaric act’, while Prime Minister Theresa May said her thoughts are with those affected by the ‘appalling’ incident and will chair a Cobra meeting on Tuesday.

:: Officers carried out a controlled explosion at Cathedral Gardens on a second suspect item, which they later said was abandoned clothing

:: Grande, who was unhurt in the incident, later tweeted: ‘broken. from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don’t have words.’